Principal investigator Prof. Euisik Yoon, holding a prototype of the BioBolt (Photo: University of Michigan)

The BioBolt is a prototype implant that could be used to wirelessly transmit neural signals from the brain to formerly-paralyzed limbs (Photo: University of Michigan)

The BioBolt (seen here on a primate skull) is a prototype implant that could be used to wirelessly transmit neural signals from the brain to formerly-paralyzed limbs (Photo: University of Michigan)

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Article Summary

For a great number of people with paralyzed limbs, the reason that they can’t move the arm or leg in question is because the “move” command isn’t able to reach from their brain to the limb. This is often due to damage to the nervous system, or to the brain, although the limb itself is still perfectly functional ... so it could still move, if only there was a way of getting the signal to it. Well, one might be on its way. Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed an implant known as the BioBolt, that wirelessly transmits neural signals from the brain to a computer. In the future, that computer could hopefully then relay them onto a formerly-paralyzed limb.